Creative Australia invests in artists, creative workers and, arts and cultural organisations to foster effective governance that reflects the needs, aspirations and diversity of our communities. Through training, mentorships, networks and dialogue we support skills development, supportive networks and better practice governance.
Use our new Governance Hub to find resources, support and opportunities to help you and your organisation create and sustain effective, meaningful governance practices. Here you can find arts and cultural sector specific guides, templates, case studies and conversations, or explore more in Additional resources and Support.
Downloads
Guides
In consultation with the sector we have developed a series of guides to developing policies that support effective, efficient and inclusive governance practices. Click the headings to download each guide (PDF file).
Developing Governance Policies and Procedures
Board Recruitment and Induction
Using the Board Skills and Diversity Matrix Template
Developing a Board Review and Evaluation Policy
Board and Organisation Succession Planning
Developing a Cyber and Data Security Policy
Templates
Template policies provide a starting point for adapting policies to your own unique context. Click the headings to view each template (Word or Excel files).
Skills and Diversity Matrix template
Cyber and data security policy
Ethical decision-making policy
Handover checklist for outgoing CEO
Governance conversations
In collaboration with Diversity Arts Australia, we presented six conversations about critical issues in governance from August 2023 to March 2024.
Governance Conversations: Doing it Differently: Fit-for-purpose governance models
Case studies
Explore real world examples of how arts and cultural organisations are supporting diversity, succession planning and fit-for-purpose governance models in practice.
Engaging Young People in Governance at Corrugated Iron Youth ArtsCorrugated Iron has a robust long-standing model for integrating the invaluable contributions of young community members into its governance practices. |
Beyond diversity demographics at Outer Urban ProjectsOuter Urban Projects journey to address diversity within its governance model reflects a thoughtful, proactive and responsive strategy. |
Intersectional diversity in governance at 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian ArtFor 4A, diversity is business-as-usual, with a mission that champions the practices of Asian artists and elevates cross-cultural dialogues between Australia and Asia. |
First Nations Governance at Magabala BooksMagabala Books’ approach to governance emphasises First Nations control, transparency and consensus decision-making. |
Looking to the Future – Succession Planning at Restless Dance TheatreRestless recently undertook an internal assessment and transformation process, including succession planning which they refer to as ‘human resource planning’. |
Navigating and welcoming new leadership at Australian Dance TheatreADT recently underwent a transformative process, including significant changes in its board and artistic leadership. |
Setting the Groundwork: AMaGA’s Approach to Succession PlanningAMaGA’s National Council (the equivalent of AMaGA’s board) recently experienced significant generational change in the governance of the organisation. |
Reports and additional resources
Reports, research and resources
Explore our research on governance in arts and cultural organisations, along with guidance for best practice. Some of these documents include references to Australia Council for the Arts, now renamed Creative Australia.
- Governance Essentials for Arts Organisations (2021). This guide includes principles and best practice guidelines to support boards and board members of all arts organisations.
- Towards Equity: a research overview of diversity in Australia’s arts and cultural sector – Creative Australia. Published in 2021, this report brings together published and unpublished data and research on representation within the arts and cultural sector in Australia.
- Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA) NFP Governance Survey ICDA Spotlight Report: Arts and Culture Governance (2020). Conducted in partnership with the Institute of Community Directors (ICDA) and Our Community, this report provides a snapshot of governance in the arts and culture industry and offers suggestions for benchmarking drawn from the broader not-for-profit sector.
Additional resources and support
- Australian Institute for Company Directors
- Arts Law Centre of Australia
- Governance Institute of Australia
- Creative Workplaces resources
- Australian Indigenous Governance Institute
- Institute of Community Directors Australia
- Not-for-profit Law
- Cultural Governance Alliance (UK based)
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits commission
Leadership and mentoring opportunities
Community arts and cultural development
